It had been a couple of days since they wiped out the raider gang. Vance, as promised, brought the head of the raiders to King, which shocked him at first but understood the gesture. Both men had a long discussion about the future of their groups and came to an agreement. Evan King hosted a town meeting to discuss the future of their settlement. Evan King announced to the residents what the Family did for them and that the they will be living with them and providing protection, in return for blood packs. Vance stepped forward and explained his Family and the Five Laws they live by. Once he finished speaking they waited for the response from the residents.

"How are these freaks any better than the raiders?!"

"How can we sleep at night, knowing you monsters are just down road!?"

"They're gonna drink our blood!"

The crowds uproar got worse as more and more started yelling. Vance stayed quiet as these questions, accusations, and slurs were thrown at him and his flock, which were becoming uneasy. The daylight wasn't helping either. Why did he believe this would be different? He felt like a fool for believing in Kirk. Evan King tried to calm the crowd but it seemed hopeless.

Kirk was laying in bed at the clinic, listening. He knew this plan would be a longshot, the settlement has every right to be defensive.

"We should string 'em up as a warning to other raider gangs!"

That was it, Kirk had enough of this. He got out of bed and walked to the door with purpose. "Where are you going?" Lucy asked. Kirk said nothing and marched out of the clinic.

"ENOUGH!"

Vance looked up to see Kirk walking up behind the crowd, entering the middle of it.

"I was the one who suggested this arrangement! So if you have a problem with it, then direct it at me!" Kirk crowd hushed and stared at him. They knew what he did for them so no one talked. Kirk looked around him and thought of his father, wondering what he would say. "Son, I have never came across an issue that couldn't be solved with words. You just need to know the right words and emotion to use in the situation." These words from his father rang in his head as he prepared himself.

"How dare you say such awful words to the very people who saved this settlement, who saved Ms. Schenzy?!" he yelled, keeping his anger under control.

"What would you all prefer? Raiders who take your hard earned food, your precious people, and rare comforts? They took Ms. Schenzy and I think you all know what happened to that poor woman! You could do nothing about it!" Kirk roared, pointing at the clinic where she was recovering.

At this point many heads looked down in shame. Vance kept his composure but even his emotions were starting to shake. Nobody has ever defended him like this.

"Or would you prefer Vance's family? The ones who wiped out the gang. The ones who can fight back and protect their own. The ones who are willing to protect you for a small price. Blood." he paused and looked around him, at this point he could see he was reaching them. "Sounds a lot better than the alternative, don't it? So what's it gonna be people?" Kirk asked, walking up to Vance and King, with his hands on his hips. To be honest Kirk was nervous the entire time, but he did his best not to show it. He hoped he didn't make it worse.

The residents started talking amongst each other. Vance and Kirk eyes met and they both nodded, waiting for the outcome. After a few minutes the talking stopped and Ken Ewers walked up. "We accept this arrangement but have a few requests." Ken looked behind him and the crowed nodded.

"No drinking blood in public, especially in the presence of the children. Our livestock is off limits and they have to find and replace 'em. Lastly, if they want to live among us then they need to help with other duties other than protection. Help us rebuild, scavenge with us, don't only come out at night, be a part of this settlement."

Vance looked at his flock who all nodded. They trusted Vance completely. "We accept these terms." he said. At this point the members of the Family dispersed. It would take some time for them to get comfortable with this too. Vance looked at Kirk bowed his head in thanks, Kirk simply nodded back in acknowledgment. "Come Mr. King, let us discuss the future of this settlement." Vance said, gesturing with his hand where to go. "Yes, let's do it, Kirk thank you for everything." King said walking away with Vance. Kirk took one more look at the crowd and walked to the clinic.

Jericho was heavily injured but was recovering well. Kirk only had his broken fingers, which he could easily heal with radiation but decided to only use that mutation in extreme circumstances. "Well, kid, your fingers are gonna be fine, but they are gonna be sore for awhile. Keep them wrapped up and stable so the bones heal properly. Some Med-X will help with the pain." Murphy told Kirk.

"So I won't be able to shoot for awhile?" Kirk asked. "I would give it a week or so. Unless, you can shoot left handed too." Murphy said. Kirk shook his head and laid down. They still had to go to Minefield before heading back to Megaton. He didn't have a week to spare. He felt he had put off looking for his dad for too long. "Jericho, how are you feeling today?" Murphy asked. "Like your face." he said with a chuckle.

Jericho in reality, was lucky to be alive. He had a fractured skull, collarbone, arm, ribs, and jaw. Stimpacks saved him by stopping his internal bleeding and mending them, but for his bones to heal would take a while. Murphy and Barret had set up their shop in Arefu. Murphy's medical expertise and Barret's merc expertise were invaluable to King. He welcomed them gladly despite being ghouls.

Kirk helped the residents rebuild for a day or so, but he knew he couldn't stay. He still had to go to Minefield for Moira and head back to Megaton. However Jericho was still heavily injured and recovering. Lucy walked up to Kirk as he was working on Ms. Schenzy's door frame. "Should you be doing this kind of work with those fingers?" she asked, concerned.

"I'm fine, it's not that bad." he said, ripping off the rest of the broken frame. Ms. Schenzy was still recovering in the clinic and she refused to talk to anyone. Kirk wanted to make sure she had a secured home to go back to. "Since you are here, I do want to run something by you." he said, standing up. "Oh? What is it?" she asked.

"I think we should go to Minefield, just the two of us."

"Without Jericho? I'm not sure that's a good idea."

"I can't afford to stay here another week, Lucy. I need to get back to Megaton and prep for D.C."

"Kirk, D.C. is hell compared to what this trip has put us through, are you sure you are ready?"

"Don't have a choice, I gotta find my dad." Lucy stared at him, she didn't have the heart to ask what she was thinking. Realistically what are the odds his father was even alive?

"We can handle the trip without Jericho, it's only a day away and by the time we get back, Jericho should be recovered enough to return to Megaton." Lucy sighed, she did know the area around Arefu better than Jericho. "Okay, we leave in the morning, but Jericho isn't gonna be happy." Kirk chuckled, "When is he?"

Kirk was up early the next day and wolfed down his breakfast and waited on Lucy. After awhile, Lucy walked in with her pack. "Ready?" she asked. Kirk got up and grabbed his bag. "Ready as I'll ever be." he responded. "Whoa, where the fuck you two going?" Jericho asked, straining to get up. Lucy walked over and gently pushed him down. "Minefield. Don't worry about us, it will be a quick trip." Lucy explained.

After a lengthy argument with Jericho, they convinced him they would be fine. If they were gone for more than a few days, he would look for them. "Hey, kid before you leave got a favor to ask." Murphy said pulling out some jet. After a brief explanation about Ultrajet for ghouls, Kirk asked, "So 30 caps for every box of Sugar Bombs I bring ya? Seems simple enough." Kirk and Lucy walked out of the clinic and saw Vance smoking in the shadow of a building. "Vance, how are you?" Kirk asked, as they approached. "Getting used to the sunlight again." he said, putting out his cigarette. "You two heading out?" he asked. They nodded.

"There is an old scrapyard near Minefield. Good place to scope out the area, but raiders use it as a small camp from time to time, so be careful." he told them. "Thanks for the info. Are you and the Family settled in?" Kirk asked. "Taking time to acclimate but so I think we have a starting point. In time, and a few adjustments, I think it will work." Vance said, and then stepped up to Kirk. "I want to thank you one last time, before you head out. You have been a true friend to me since we met. A rarity for me. If you ever need me, I will be there." He told him. "Thank you Vance, I'm grateful to have a strong and wise friend out here." Kirk said.

"Ditto, what he said!" King exclaimed, walking up to them. "We will always have a bed and provisions for you here, if needed. Take care of our Lucy out there." King said with a laugh. "Also, if you need a place to rest, there is an old bridge leading to rock crevice. Inside is a radio tower and house with an old bird name Agatha. She is real friendly and offers a bed to travelers." King explained. "Thanks Mr. King, I know the place and we will be careful, don't worry." Lucy said. With that the duo set out toward Minefield.

Author's Notes: Sorry for the long wait, life happens and such. I decided to change up the format. I find this reads and flows better.